204 ANATIDJE. 



latter country it should not be at least more common than in 

 our island, where, doubtless, the birds passing to and from 

 Ireland in their migrations might be supposed to rest and 

 remain for a short time. 

 Habitat Eastern Europe. 



SPECIES 196 THE WIDGEOK* 



Anas Penelope. Linn. 

 Canard siffleur. Temm. 



Golden-headed Widgeon. Whistler. 



WITH the widgeon we have another example, like the teal, of 

 a beautifully plumaged bird very common in its distribution, 

 but differing from that species in never remaining in the 

 island during summer. 



Occurring in flocks of considerable extent, the widgeon is 

 the most plentiful of all the Anatidae, and during winter we 

 may at all times discern them in small detached flocks in our 

 own bay, increasing in number on the coast line upwards 

 towards Drogheda, their principal station being at Malahide, 

 a locality admirably suited to their habits, and at all times 

 frequented by them. 



Picturesque in their appearance on the water during high 

 tide, a flock consisting of some four or five hundred birds 

 affords a fine sight to the observer, almost every bird resting 

 with the head under the dorsal plumage, and rising and falling 

 with every motion of the water ; at times also we see them 

 entering the harbour, the heads of all the birds turned in one 

 direction, and allowing themselves to be drifted towards the 

 shore by the motion of the tide, but, watchful of danger, on 

 approaching within a sufficient distance, they rise and wing 

 back to a greater distance, pursuing the same course until 

 the tide falls, during which time they remain stationary by 

 swimming against it. 



Well known to all persons living in the vicinity of the 

 coast, the widgeon attracts attention by its loud whistling call- 

 notes uttered during night-time whilst on the wing. 



These call -notes are extremely beautiful, and when heard 

 at an elevation of some hundred feet overhead, the birds 

 themselves invisible in the darkness of night, each bird cho- 

 russing its long, inspiriting note, whilst the loud, ringing sound 

 of their pinions come clearly distinct to the ear, have caused it 

 to receive the common name of whistler in every country 

 where it is known. Nor is this beautiful effect peculiar to 

 the shore, but even in the most central portion of the popu- 



